Dubai-owned dnata puts Travel Republic in departure lounge

The Dubai-based fund which owns the Emirates airline is exploring a sale of a quartet of UK-based leisure businesses which include Netflights and Travel Republic.

Sky News has learnt that dnata Travel Group, which is part of the Emirates Group of companies, has hired City advisers to conduct a review of strategic options for the assets, which also include Gold Medal and Travelbag. Sources said on Tuesday that AlixPartners had been hired to oversee the process, with a sale the likeliest outcome.

Both Emirates, the airline, and dnata are part of the Emirates Group of companies and owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, although they are run as independent entities. The four dnata-owned UK businesses serve different customer bases, with Gold Medal sells tailor-made holidays into the travel trade.

Travel Republic describes itself as one of the UK's leading online travel agents, while Netflights offers travellers a range of budget flights, package holidays and car hire. Travelbag, meanwhile, offers more premium package holidays to consumers.

Collectively, the four businesses account for transactions worth hundreds of millions of pounds annually, according to industry sources. In a statement issued in response to an enquiry from Sky News, a dnata Travel Group spokesperson said: "nata Travel Group has started a process to explore strategic options for four UK-based leisure brands: Gold Medal, Netflights, Travelbag and Travel Republic.

"The move is part of a broader strategic effort to align the group's portfolio with its long-term business priorities and evolving market dynamics. "No decisions have been made regarding the future ownership structure of the businesses.

The process is at an early stage. "All businesses continue to operate as usual, with no disruption to services for our customers and partners.

"Dnata Travel Group remains committed to acting in the best interest of its employees, customers and partners, and will provide updates as appropriate." The company declined to say how many employees worked for the four businesses under review..